They don’t call her the Queen of Country for no reason. Reba McEntire started singing and performing at a really young age — she and her siblings had formed a band by high school, and were playing local shows under the name the Singing McEntires.

Once her older brother graduated high school, they all went their separate ways (We have scoured the internet for video footage of one of those performances, but to no avail).

So, McEntire went on to college to pursue a degree in teaching, with a minor in music. In 1974, her father encouraged her to take a job opportunity singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City.

From there, she was heard by country artist Red Steagall, who agreed to meet with McEntire, her mom and their siblings. She performed on the spot for him, and Steagall told McEntire’s mother that he couldn’t take all three of her kids to Nashville, but he could help Reba, because she had something special.

She made her breakthrough in Nashville in the fall of 1975, when she was signed to Mercury Records. The rest, as they say, is history.

McEntire has grown to become an American icon and household name. From acting to singing, to now coaching on The Voice, this country queen seems to have had the most delightful career, and she hasn’t slowed down.

30 Photos of Reba McEntire Young

Reba McEntire is one of the most revered country stars of all time — but also in entertainment. She’s been successful as both an actor and a singer since the 1970s, and nearly 50 years later, she’s in headlines as much as ever. Look back at photos of Reba when she was younger, before she became the star we know today.

Gallery Credit: Evan Paul

1998 ACM Awards

Ron Galella , Getty Images

1998 ACM Awards

July 26, 1997

James Crump , Getty Images

July 26, 1997

Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn perform together at the Rosemont Horizon.

Grand Opening of the Country Star Restaurant, August 21, 1994

Ron Galella , Getty Images

Grand Opening of the Country Star Restaurant, August 21, 1994

Lynn Goldsmith, Getty Images

Reba hugs her young son Shelby, 1994

Reba accepts Entertainer of the Year, 1994 CMA Awards

Bettmann , Getty Images

Reba accepts Entertainer of the Year, 1994 CMA Awards

Recording vocals, Feb. 22, 1994

Paul Natkin, Getty Images

Recording vocals, Feb. 22, 1994

Rainbow Room, New York, June 30, 1993

Steve Eichner, Getty Images

Rainbow Room, New York, June 30, 1993

Reba McEntire Video Shoot July 1993

Patti Ouderkirk , Getty Images

Reba McEntire Video Shoot July 1993

Smiling at the ACM Awards, April 1992

Kypros , Getty Images

Smiling at the ACM Awards, April 1992

Reba McEntire and Tony Brown in the studio, August 8, 1991

Beth Gwinn, Getty Images

Reba McEntire and Tony Brown in the studio, August 8, 1991

Reba onstage, c. 1990s

Ron Galella, Getty Images

Reba onstage, c. 1990s

Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers, c. 1991

Ron Galella, Getty Images

Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers, c. 1991

Reba on ‘The Tonight Show’ 1990

NBC , Getty Images

Reba on ‘The Tonight Show’ 1990

Reba chats during an interview with guest host Jay Leno on July 17, 1990

‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ July 17, 1990

NBC , Getty Images

‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ July 17, 1990

Reba with Dwight Yoakam, ACM Awards Nominations, February 28, 1989

Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images

Reba with Dwight Yoakam, ACM Awards Nominations, February 28, 1989

1989 CMA Awards Nominations Gala

Ron Galella, Ltd. , Getty Images

1989 CMA Awards Nominations Gala

Reba performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee

Beth Gwinn, Getty Images

Reba performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee

Reba in Canada in 1988

Mike Slaughter, Getty Images

Reba in Canada in 1988

Reba McEntire sitting in chair, January 9, 1987 in Nashville

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Reba McEntire sitting in chair, January 9, 1987 in Nashville

22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1987

Ron Galella , Getty Images

22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1987

Kris Kristofferson and Reba McEntire at 1986 Grammys

Ron Galella , Getty Images

Kris Kristofferson and Reba McEntire at 1986 Grammys

Reba signs autographs at the Camalot Music Store in Rivergate Mall, 1986

Beth Gwinn, Getty Images

Reba signs autographs at the Camalot Music Store in Rivergate Mall, 1986

Reba and Dolly, Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary, 1986

CBS Photo Archive , Getty Images

Reba and Dolly, Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary, 1986

Attending a two hour special broadcast on January 14, 1986.

20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1985

Ron Galella , Getty Images

20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1985

Reba McEntire performs on June 10, 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee

Beth Gwinn , Getty Images

Reba McEntire performs on June 10, 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee

Reba McEntire, 1985

Film Favorites , Getty Images

Reba McEntire, 1985

Reba McIntire at the Lone Star Café, New York, NY, July 22, 1982

Gary Gershoff, Getty Images

Reba McIntire at the Lone Star Café, New York, NY, July 22, 1982

Reba McEntire performs on ‘The Tonight Show,’ October 28, 1981

Gene Arias/NBC via Getty Images

Reba McEntire performs on ‘The Tonight Show,’ October 28, 1981

Reba McEntire poses for a portrait session in Nashville, circa 1976

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Reba McEntire poses for a portrait session in Nashville, circa 1976

Beautiful, smiling Reba, c. 1975

Michael Ochs Archives , Getty Images

Beautiful, smiling Reba, c. 1975